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Ireland > Inishbofin Half Marathon
Inishbofin,
Ireland
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Date
Saturday, May 16, 2009
Event
Details
Sparsely populated and characterized by the same green, rocky hills
that are found throughout its larger neighbor to the southeast, the
Republic of Ireland, the island of Inishbofin plays host each year to
the Inishbofin Half Marathon, which will mark its fourth annual running
in the spring of 2009 along this beautifully scenic, peaceful and
pastoral island just off the coast of Galway, near Ireland's Connemara
region in the northwestern part of the country.
The 13.1-mile course for the race makes use of the main road that
follows a loop route through the island's interior, and is considered
both hilly and challenging for the roughly 80 runners who make their
way to the island for this race each year (the event is limited to 80
participants). From the starting line in Westquarter, the course takes
runners southeast toward the village of Fawnmore, where it begins the
loop section of the course that has runners following a clockwise
direction around the "High Road" and the "Low Road" sections of the
loop.
The High Road section of the course takes runners through some of
Ireland's most remote and beautiful scenery, as sheep grazing on
grassy, rocky hills overlook farmland bordered by ancient stone fences.
Runners follow the High Road through the areas known as Middlequarter
and Cloonamore toward the waters of East End Bay, just a few miles away
from the mainland. Once runners make their way around the turn at East
End Bay, they then head west along the Low Road back in the direction
of Fawnmore, passing through Knock on their way to the stretch of the
race that runs along Inishbofin's southern coast, overlooking the
harbor.
Runners make three laps along the loop along the High and Low roads,
before turning off from the Low Road just before finishing the third
lap, onto the Pound Road, which features what race organizers describe
as "Heart Break Hill," perhaps the most challenging hill of the race.
The comfort is that once you climb this hill, you've almost reached the
finish, which lies just a short stretch away at the village known as
the Boreen, not far from Inishbofin's Days Hotel.
The trip to the island -- which is reachable only by ferry -- is
something you'll definitely want to make a vacation of, as
the island is one of the country's most pristine natural habitats for
endangered species and just pure natural beauty. The race also is a
fundraiser for the West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation.
Race
Weather & Climate
Located just off the northwest coast of Ireland, just seven miles as
the crow flies from Galway, the island of Inishbofin typically
experiences weather conditions much like those of the country as a
whole, with more benign, sunny and warm weather in what is called the
"high season" (which lasts from March through September). That's not to
say you won't see rain, wind or other inclement weather during your
stay in May -- light rain is common throughout the year in Ireland. In
nearby Galway, the average monthly temperatures range between
58°F (14°C) and 43°F (6°C).
Fees
€250 deposit toward €700 fundraising target
Registration
To reserve your spot in the spring 2009 running of Ireland's
Inishbofin Half Marathon, register
online at the event website.
Websites
www.croi.ie
Inishbofin Island
Course Map
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Your Race Story
Ever run in Ireland's annual Inishbofin Half Marathon?
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your impressions and read fellow runners' stories
and tips for the event.
Discuss it in the HalfMarathons.Net
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